Some top New Orleans chefs weigh in on fisheries bills

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Some of New Orleans' finest chefs are among more than two dozen asking members of Congress to shoot down bills that would change fisheries management.

The letter says the bills increase the risk of overfishing while claiming to modernize and strengthen management.

It was signed by 26 chefs, including eight James Beard award winners or nominees. Most of the restaurants are in New Orleans, but they also include two in Lafayette, one in Lake Charles and one in Memphis, Tennessee.

Gulf Restoration Network, who created the letter, listed a few chefs from these areas who had signed. Ryan Prewitt, Stephen Stryjewski, Justin Devillier, Nina Compton, Michael Stoltzfus, Kristen Essig, Andy Ticer, and Michael Hudman were just a few names provided.

The letter was dated Tuesday. It was made public Wednesday by the nonprofit Gulf Restoration Network.

The bills' sponsors, Republicans Garrett Graves of Louisiana and Don Young of Alaska, did not immediately respond Wednesday to emailed requests for comment.

As the weekend inches closer and closer the eyes remain down toward the tropics as we wait to see what this disturbed region in the Gulf of Mexico will end up doing the next few days. Chances for further development have increased to an 80% over the next five days.

As the weekend inches closer and closer the eyes remain down toward the tropics as we wait to see what this disturbed region in the Gulf of Mexico will end up doing the next few days. Chances for further development have increased to an 80% over the next five days.